Last Day of 54

The hike was just what I needed yesterday. I'm really glad I did it. Fast and fun. Only 4 of us so good conversation and felt like a group. It wasn't too hot or uncomfortable, but I was drenched by the end.

Our Tuesday group is hiking today and I'm struggling with the hiking part. We hike very slowly and only 5ish miles -- but still takes us over 2 hours. Lunch after and that's nice, but the combination is HOURS of time. I'm having a hard time wanting to commit the day. We rarely do anything challenging or different. The group is growing and I don't like that as much either. It's starting to feel not a cohesive group while we hike.

That said, I want to stay connected and stay friends with the group. I've been troubleshooting a solution. I tried thinking about the hike differently. Just a social day that's adds a walk through the woods. The problem is the time involved. I can only be gone so many "all day" kind of things (because dogs and hubby). Now that summer is here and we're hiking earlier, it's difficult to hike extra or workout before -- that's been my solution most Tuesdays.

What I'm experimenting with next is not hiking every week. I already told the group I'm not available next week and I'm planning to solo hike instead. July is a weird scheduled month with lots of morning appointments and other things that will make it hard to hike other days. I'm taking 3/5 Tuesdays and hiking solo. This might be the balance solution. Seeing the group 2 or 3 weeks a month might be enough to stay connected AND give me hiking days that fit better.

If I don't hike longer, harder hikes I can't stay in hiking shape for the club hikes that I like. This is why I specifically need to get hiking miles each week at a good pace. 

Fussing with the garden yesterday and found some poop on tomato leaves. I know what that means. The search began and I found him. Clipped the branch and tossed him into the woods. I didn't see others, but they camouflage so well. I'll keep a look out. They are fascinating and rather cute, but they do so much damage.

On a brighter side -- cucumbers have begun. I picked the first one yesterday and 3 more should be ready today. This delights me. 

Summers mean rushed mornings. Garden needs to be watered (no irrigation yet), dog walked, etc. All to leave the house for the early hike and brunch after. I can't fit in more mileage ahead -- simply not enough light hours before I need to leave. Last time I rode the Peloton before and my back didn't like that combination so I hesitate to try it again. 

Anyway ...

After the hike I need to go to the old house and check on things, move more garden stuff (last thing), and do a library return/pickup. That'll probably be the day because I won't go until later in the afternoon (need to come home to dogs first).

Speaking of books ... I have WAY TOO MANY books hitting right now. On the "possibility" list this week is organizing my TBR. There are so many books, I want to organize by type -- working on those categories. When I'm in the mood for X, look to this area. Is it enough to divide by genre? Not sure. Looking some other options, but not sure if it'll work. I also want to put a sticky note on them with a little reminder of why I bought the book. When it gets too far away from purchase, I forget and I sort of lose interest. It's a big, but fun project. Not sure I can fit it in this week. It's something I can't work on in fits and spirts. It needs to be a start-to-finish project AND I need to be in the mood to do it. 

That's all from here. Last day of 54 -- wow does time fly. Later gators.